Halloween is by now an international
holiday. It’s not only celebrated in the States, but in many
European countries as well. And of course, here in Italy.

But why do we celebrate Halloween? It’s a holiday based on
superstitions with origins back in the time of the Druids. Who
were these Druids? They were “priests” of an ancient religion in
England and France who believed that on October 31st, the dead
came back to life on earth in the form of animals.

When the Catholic church named November 1st All Saints Day,
the evening before was a “hallowed eve” (una vigilia santa),
which was eventually pronounced “Halloween”. On the eve, people
knocked on doors and asked for cakes for All Saints Day. And
that is how “Trick or Treating” began.

Trick or Treating (dolcetto o scherzetto!) is now a part
of the Halloween tradition. On Halloween night generally people
are prepared for the arrival of the “trick or treaters”. They
have a lot of candy and cookies, or anything else good to eat,
ready for them. If the people don’t happen to have anything, the
trick or treaters can be justified in playing a trick on them!

Of course, Halloween is also an excuse to get dressed up in
costumes. Originally children wore white sheets (with
eye-holes!) to become “Ghosts”. Now any kind of costume is
permitted, from Batman to Cinderella.

Not only children celebrate. There are Halloween parties for all
ages. The traditional Halloween party is not complete without
someone telling a nice scary ghost story.

I recommend stories by Edgar Allan Poe, the most famous American
author of Horror stories. My favourite is “The Black Cat”. I
rewrote this story in simplified English so if any teacher would
like a copy for her class, I’d be happy to send it out by
e-mail.